Prevalence Of Geohelminth Infections Research Articles

Spatial Map of Geohelminths Infection in Agricultural Communities and its Contamination in Soil of Jatian Village, Jember Regency

Introduction: Geohelminth infections are a neglected global health problem. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 show that more than 24% of the world population is infected by geohelminths. The condition of the agricultural soil, which tends to be loose and moist, supports the development of the infective form of the geohelminth. This makes agricultural communities susceptible to geohelminth infections. This study aimed to determine a spatial map of geohelminth infection in agricultural communities and its contamination in the soil of Jatian Village, Jember Regency. Methods: This study used an observational analytical design and a spatial analysis approach. Sampling was performed using a random sampling method that included 43 samples. Data were obtained by examining soil and stool samples and the coordinates of the sampling locations. Data were analyzed using spatial analysis. Results and Discussion: The results of this study indicated that the prevalence of geohelminth infection in agricultural communities was 23.3%, and its contamination in the soil was 6.98%. Hookworms caused infections among respondents, and contamination in the ground was caused by Hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis. Clustering analysis results showed that geohelminth infection formed two secondary clusters. Spatial autocorrelation and buffer analysis showed clustering of geohelminth infections within the buffer range (<100 m), indicating that the infection spreads more easily within the cluster. Conclusion: The spatial map showed the distribution pattern of clustered geohelminth infection cases and their contamination in soil within proximity, thereby increasing the risk of geohelminth transmission.

Geohelminth Infections and Nutritional Status of Mbororo Children 2 - 15 Years in the Bafmeng Health Area, North West Cameroon

Background: Geohelminth infections are endemic in Cameroon affecting millions of people and have serious nutritional and developmental effects especially among children.
 Aims: There is paucity of information on the prevalence, risk factors and nutritional effect of geohelminths on minority nomadic Mbororo communities in Cameroon, which is addressed herein amongst children 2-15 years in the Bafmeng Health Area.
 Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was conducted between April 2021 and June 2021 in which 263 children, within the age 2-15 years were randomly recruited and a structured questionnaire was administered to them and their caregivers to obtain socio-demographic data, hygienic practices and knowledge of caregivers regarding geohelminth infections. A single-stool sample was obtained from each child and analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique and anthropometric measurements were also obtained and used to compute nutritional indices using the World Health Organization Anthro software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors of geohelminth infections.
 Results: The prevalence of geohelminth infections was 14.4% (38); Ascaris lumbricoides (11.41%), Trichuris trichuira (2.7%), and hook worm (0.4%). A total of 61.2% (161) of the children were malnourished; underweight (28.5%), stunting (19.0%), severe stunting (11.0%), severely underweight (1.9%), and wasting (0.8%). Geohelminth infection was not associated with nutritional status (P=0.4) but it was significantly (p=0.004) associated with males (21.9%) than females (8.7%). The use of unsafe water (P=0.03, AOR: 2.01, CI: 1.04 - 1.77) and dumping of waste around the compound (P=0.01, AOR=1.35, CI: 0.13 – 0.95) were risk factors significantly associated with geohelminth infection. Majority of the caregivers (75.3%) had good knowledge on the transmission and prevention of geohelminths.
 Conclusion: On a whole, the prevalence of geohelminth infection is low and malnutrition is high amongst Mbororo children. Long-term control strategies should focus on improvements on environmental hygiene, provision of portable water along side nutritional interventions.

Status of Geohelminth Infections - Nine Years After Mass Administration of Medicine in Primary Schools in Nnewi, Anambra State

Geohelminths are known to be endemic in developing tropical countries. A study on the status of geohelminth infection, nine years after mass drug administration in medicine in primary schools, was carried out in Nnewi, Anambra State. Objective: The investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence of geohelminth infections among school-aged children and the status of the deworming exercise in Nnewi, Anambra State. Methods: The stool samples collected from 324 pupils aged 3-17 years in three primary schools were analyzed using normal saline and formalin-ether concentration techniques. Results: Overall prevalence of geohelminths in the area was 1.9%; no mixed infection was recorded among the pupils. The ova of geohelminth parasites detected were Hookworm 3(0.9%), A. lumbricoides of 2(0.6%) and T. trichiura 1(0.3%). Pupils attending Nnewichi Central School recorded the highest prevalence 4(3.5%) of infection in the three primary schools sampled. Children aged 9-11 years old were more infected with hookworm 2(2.3%), 1(1.2%) for A. lumbricoides followed by children aged 6-8 years. Male pupils 4(2.9%) were more infected than females 2(1.1%). From the questionnaire distributed, 241(74.4%) were dewormed, of which 216(89.6%) respondent said they were dewormed in school and home. This indicated that deworming exercise has been carried out in primary schools in Nnewi. Conclusion: From the study, the prevalence was low, this infers that deworming is effective and should be sustained at least once every year since children can be re-infected, the exercise should be complemented with Water Safety and Hygiene (WASH), health education and sanitation.

Soil transmitted helminthiasis in indigenous groups. A community cross sectional study in the Amazonian southern border region of Ecuador

BackgroundRural communities in the Amazonian southern border of Ecuador have benefited from governmental social programmes over the past 9 years, which have addressed, among other things, diseases associated with poverty,...

Differences in prevalence of geohelminth infections between indigenous and settler populations in a remote Amazonian region of Peru

To compare prevalences of intestinal helminths and waterborne protozoa in indigenous and settler populations in a remote area of Peru. These populations live in adjacent but segregated small urban villages. Stool samples were collected from representative members of these two populations and analysed for geohelminths and protozoa. The risk of soil-transmitted helminths is significantly higher in the settler than the indigenous population in the same isolated region of Peru (OR 5.18; 95% CI 3.44-7.81; P<0.001). In contrast, the rates of protozoa presence were similar in both populations (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.77-2.14; P=0.336). Potential explanations for unexpected finding of a lower prevalence of helminths in indigenous relative to the settler population could include housing design in flood-prone areas and the use of local medicinal plants that possibly have antihelmintic properties.

Geohelminth Infection in Rural Cameroonian Villages

A survey of human geohelminth infections was conducted in Bawa and Nloh, two rural agrarian villages in the West Province of Cameroon. The purpose of the study was to provide baseline data to assess the efficacy of a universal geohelminth control program that the Bawa Health Initiative, a nongovernmental humanitarian organization, has implemented in the 2 villages. In Nloh, A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and hookworm exhibited prevalences of 33.0%, 54.3%, and 26.6%, respectively, and mean intensities given as eggs per gram of feces (epg) of 2,490, 246, and 293, respectively. In Bawa, A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and hookworm exhibited prevalences of 15.3%, 41.5%, and 18.7%, respectively, and mean intensities of 18,904, 346, and 57 epg, respectively. All geohelminths investigated exhibited extreme overdispersion. Although the 2 villages are demographically nearly identical, prevalences of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infection in Nloh were significantly higher than those in Bawa. The only differences between the villages that might account for the differences in prevalence of geohelminth infection is that clean drinking water and basic sanitation, and hygiene education programs, have been implemented in Bawa. High prevalences of infection in senior adults indicate that they may represent a neglected group in regard to geohelminth infection. In Bawa, a clustering of moderate- to high-intensity infections was noted among family compounds for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura. Comparison of these data to those gathered in the West Province of Cameroon during a Cameroonian National Survey of helminth infections, conducted between 1985-1987, suggests that the prevalences of infection with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura have decreased while the incidence of hookworm infection may have increased. However, such comparisons between surveys must be interpreted very conservatively, given the multitude of factors leading to dramatic differences in prevalence of geohelminth infections, even

Prevalência e fatores associados às geo-helmintíases em crianças residentes em municípios com baixo IDH no Norte e Nordeste brasileiros

Stool surveys were conducted to estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors for geohelminth infections among children in ten Brazilian municipalities with low human development indices (HDI). Socioeconomic and environmental data were obtained from the children's parents or guardians, and stool samples were examined. The proportion of geohelminth infections according to target variables was calculated. Risk factors were evaluated using multilevel logistic regression. Of the 2,523 children, 36.5% were infected with one or more geohelminths (Ascaris lumbricoides, 25.1%; hookworm, 15.3%; Trichuris trichiura, 12.2%). Overall prevalence of geohelminth infections was 45.7% in rural areas and 32.2% in urban areas. Low family income (OR = 1.75; 1.38-2.23), low maternal schooling (OR = 1.69; 1.39-2.06), presence of garbage near the home (OR = 1.50; 1.22-1.84), and number of individuals in the household (OR = 1.41; 1.17-1.71) were associated with infection. In conclusion, geohelminth infections were closely related to socioeconomic conditions, thus emphasizing the importance of targeted public interventions to improve living conditions as part of sustainable prevention.

Impact of intestinal permeability, inflammation status and parasitic infections on infant growth faltering in rural Bangladesh

A longitudinal study of 298 rural Bangladeshi infants found evidence of growth faltering starting at 3 months of age. Anthropometric status declined substantially in the first 2 years of life, with weight-for-height (WHZ) falling from - 0.49 to - 1.75, weight-for-age (WAZ) from - 1.18 to - 2.87 and height-for-age (HAZ) from - 1.00 to - 1.88. Higher concentrations of the acute-phase protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and higher gut mucosal damage (as signified by raised lactulose:mannitol (L:M) ratios) were both associated with chronic malnutrition as indicated by poorer HAZ and WAZ scores (P = 0.011 and 0.005 for AGP and 0.039 and 0.019 for L:M ratio, respectively). Higher Hb levels were related to improved z-scores, while elevation of Giardia-specific IgM titre (GSIgM) was associated with poor WAZ and WHZ (P = 0.015 and 0.039, respectively). IgG did not show any significant association with z-scores and the L:M ratio did not correlate with any of the inflammation markers or Giardia infection. The prevalence of geohelminth infections was low (only 4 % in the total study period). However, the level of GSIgM indicated high endemicity of Giardia infection from early in life, although very few cysts were detected from stool samples. These findings suggest that rural Bangladeshi infants are being exposed to high levels of infection with concomitant gut damage and growth faltering.

Using national health weeks to deliver deworming to children: lessons from Mexico

Mexico established national health weeks (NHWs) in the early 1980s to promote childhood vaccinations. Because of the cumulative worldwide peer-reviewed scientific evidence, the recommendations of the World Health Organization and...

A COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR DETECTING THE EGGS OF ASCARIS, TRICHURIS, AND HOOKWORM IN INFANT STOOL, AND THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF INFECTION IN ZANZIBARI INFANTS

This study compared five methods for detecting the eggs of the human parasitic geohelminths Ascaris, Trichuris, and hookworm in infant stool, and describes the epidemiology of infection in infants from a parasite-endemic area. A total of 424 infants 5-11 months old were enrolled from three villages on Pemba Island, Zanzibar. Methods used included the Kato-Katz technique, formol ethyl acetate sedimentation, modified formol ethyl acetate sedimentation, modified Wisconsin floatation, and simple gravity sedimentation. Of methods used alone, Wisconsin floatation and simple gravity sedimentation each provided the highest sensitivity for detecting eggs of these three geohelminths (89.6%). Of methods used in combination, the Kato-Katz technique/simple gravity sedimentation and Wisconsin floatation/simple gravity sedimentation each provided the highest sensitivity (99.0%). Prevalence of geohelminth infection was 26.5%. Between five and nine months of age the mean prevalence was 9.4%, while at 10 and 11 months of age the mean prevalence was 43.4%. Village prevalence varied from 3.6% to 43.8%. Infant geohelminth infection can occur at a high prevalence, and what method is best depends on research specifics.

Risk factors for atopy among school children in a rural area of Latin America.

Infection with common childhood infectious diseases including geohelminth infections may provide protection against the development of atopy and allergic disease. Few studies have investigated risk factors for atopy among children living in rural areas of Latin America. To identify risk factors associated with atopy among school-age children in a rural area of Latin America. Analytic cross-sectional study of school-age children conducted in seven rural schools in Pichincha Province in Ecuador. Detailed risk factor information was obtained by questionnaire, stool samples were collected for identification of geohelminth parasites, and Mantoux testing was performed to determine tuberculin sensitization. A total of 1002 children from seven rural schools were recruited. The prevalence of geohelminth infections was high (70.1% were infected with at least one geohelminth parasite) and the prevalence of allergic sensitization was high (20.0% had evidence of aeroallergen sensitization). Factors associated with significant protection against atopy in multivariate analyses were the presence of overcrowding in the child's home, low socio-economic level, and infection with geohelminth parasites, and the protective effects of the three factors were statistically independent. Low socio-economic level, overcrowding and geohelminth infection, are independently protective against atopy among school-age children living in a rural area of Latin America.